WASHINGTON, DC — October 31, 2001 — The Food Marketing Institute Foundation announced today that Steve Hilton, Vice President, Product Quality and Environmental Affairs for Albertson’s, Inc., has been named chairman of the Foundation's Industry Advisory Council.

“With his exceptional background at Albertson’s, I am very pleased that Steve Hilton will be chairing the Industry Advisory Council,” said Tim Hammonds, Foundation President and President and CEO of FMI. “Under his guidance, the Council will provide expert advice to the Foundation Board of Trustees on food safety programs the Foundation should consider supporting. The broad membership of the Council – from suppliers to retailers and wholesalers – also means it provides valuable insights on food safety issues to the Foundation board. Steve will serve as a strong catalyst in this process.”

Operated for charitable, educational and scientific purposes, the FMI Foundation created the Industry Advisory Council to establish criteria for the Foundation board to use in reviewing food safety program funding proposals. The Council meets once a year.

Albertson's is one of the world's largest food and drug retailers, with annual revenues of approximately $37 billion. Based in Boise, Idaho, the Company employs more than 235,000 associates and operates more than 2,500 retail stores under banners that include Albertson's, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Sav-On Drugs, Osco Drug, Max Foods, Super Saver, and Seessel's by Albertson's.